Uganda Election: Museveni Takes Early Lead As Wine Alleges Fraud

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has taken an early lead in the country’s presidential elections, while his main rival, Bobi Wine, has alleged that the vote was marred by violence and fraud.

According to preliminary results from the electoral commission, Museveni has so far won 1,852,263 votes, or 63.9%, while Wine has won 821,874 votes (28.4%) with 29.4% of ballots counted. 

Bobi Wine, a reggae singer and MP who leads the People’s Power, Our Power movement, told reporters on Friday that he had filmed proof of fraud during voting. Nevertheless, in a tweet this morning he said he was confident of victory, despite “widespread fraud and violence”.  

President Museveni, who has led the East African nation for the past 34 years, has not yet made a statement. 

The election in Uganda has been marred by political violence and subterfuge. On Tuesday Kampala police raided Bobi Wine’s home and arrested several members of his security team. On Wednesday the government ordered an internet blackout until further notice, a day after banning all social media and messaging apps. 

The internet blackout will have been a particular blow to opposition supporters, who regularly use social media to relay coverage of Bobi Wine’s campaigns. It has also cast doubt over the validity of election results, with electoral commission head Simon Byabakam assuring Ugandans on live TV on Thursday that the blackout would not affect vote tallying. 

The normally bustling capital of Kampala was unusually quiet on Friday, with soldiers patrolling many of the city’s suburbs. Shops were closed for the public holiday which traditionally follows a general election.